Afghanistan: Magnitude-5.1 earthquake occurs in Badakhshan Province, near shared border with Tajikistan, Aug. 15.

Event

A magnitude-5.1 earthquake occurred in northeastern Afghanistan at 15:11 Aug. 15. The epicenter was about 40 km (25 miles) east-southeast of Chubek, Tajikistan. The tremor occurred at a depth of about 10 km (6 miles) and light shaking was probably felt throughout northeastern Afghanistan, southern Tajikistan, and, possibly, far northern Pakistan. There have been no initial reports of damage or casualties as a result of the earthquake; however, significant damage is unlikely. Aftershocks are likely over the coming days.

Officials may temporarily shut down transportation infrastructure in the tremor zone to check for damage. Minor disruptions could occur during shutdowns, but service will likely resume quickly if no damage is found. Utility outages are possible, particularly near the earthquake's epicenter.

Advice

Plan accordingly for aftershocks. Out of an abundance of caution, consider vacating multistory buildings if operating in affected areas until authorities confirm their structural integrity. Allow additional time for air and road travel, as aftershocks may prompt brief disruptions. Seek updated information on road conditions before driving in hilly areas in the affected region due to potential landslides.